He cupped her jaw and angled her chin up. Her breath shuddered out of her body at his heated touch. Her voice faded at the brush of his fingers, taking with it whatever point she was trying to make.
“Who?”
“Huh?”
His released her, his hands settling on her hips, drawing her body against his as if trying to catch the scent of the person on her. She shoved him, her palms hitting the hard wall of his chest. Her fingers flexed against all that muscle, enjoying the feel of him despite herself.
He lifted her clear off the floor, and her legs automatically wrapped around his waist for balance. He buried his face in her neck, inhaling the scent of her hair. Her whole body tingled at such a simple action.
The shock of him so close to her center scattered the rest of her thoughts. She peered up at him but her gaze never rose above the awe-inspiring sight of his chest.
The heat of him pressed up to her front all cozy-like urged her to touch. As if to encourage her, Merrick cuddled her closer, his arousal tucked against her stomach. All she wanted was to crawl up him and steal a kiss.
A single kiss she told herself, trying to convince her mind that no harm would come from just a taste.
She stole a quick glance at him from under her lashes, and her heartbeat nearly stopped to see his head dipped toward her. She arched up.
His breath fanned her lips, lingering, his mouth so temptingly close she leaned into him.
Her eyes slid closed then snapped open. She didn’t want to miss a second if this was going to be their only kiss.
A beep blared in the room.
She’d so completely forgotten their surroundings, it took her precious seconds to realize that the sound was the intercom.
“What is it?”
Merrick’s lips moved, and she reached up to curl her hand behind his neck and urge him to close the distance between them.
“The witches are waiting in your office.”
A splash of fear hit her belly, and she jerked away.
Only to have Merrick growl and cup her ass, holding her tighter against him.
The growl nearly had her swaying toward him, nearly made her forget about the witches. But she couldn’t allow a few minutes of desire, no matter how deliciously tempting, to put her in the path of danger. If the witches found her here, there was nothing Merrick or the others could do to prevent them from taking her.
Not without starting a war.
She pushed against his chest, and the rumbling stopped. It actually hurt to put distance between them. When she slid down his front then stepped away, her body begged her to reconsider.
Merrick stormed away, his strides long and angry as if more than ready to kill anyone who got in his way. When Merrick stalked toward the door, fear threatened to swallow her.
Fear for Merrick.
Witches were ruthless, not afraid to take what they wanted.
“Wait.” She refused let him go in completely unaware and vulnerable. She hurried forward, but stopped shy of putting her hands back on him.
He quickly grabbed her wrist and placed her palm over his chest to feel the steady beat of his heart. She had to scramble to remember what she wanted to say.
“Watch your back around them. They will do whatever they deem necessary to get what they want.”
Chapter Sixteen
Merrick’s near-uncontrollable anger eased at her touch. The desire to strike and maim the person who’d interrupted them dissipated a fraction.
It was her words and the naked fear in her eyes that finally transmitted to him. He didn’t want to give the witches too much time alone, but he couldn’t leave her so distressed. He ran his fingers over the backs of her hands to soothe her, but his suspicions rose at her unease.
Her fear of the witches saddened him. They should be her family. Instead, she was terrified of them. A lonely life compared to the closeness of the pack.
Trina might be guarding her secrets, but he trusted her judgment. “Explain.”
“Magic was used on two separate attacks last night. Magic that can’t be bought off the market. Magic that doesn’t come cheap. A witch was involved.”
Merrick nodded then lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. Unable to resist, he flicked out his tongue and stole the taste of her that should’ve been his.
The briefness of it was a cruel tease, and he was desperate to explore her further. Instead, he released her before he said to hell with everything and took her as his beast urged. He almost stepped forward to do so but stopped dead when he realized he’d left Trina’s hat in his office.
Alone with the witches.
“Guard her. Don’t let her out of your sight.” Merrick spoke to the man hovering near the door.
Weston snapped to attention. If the outsider didn’t take better care of what was his, Merrick would give him a lesson that he wouldn’t soon forget.
With each step, Merrick battled with the urge to turn around and take her, the need to scoop her up and mark every inch of her flesh nearly uncontrollable. The witches, curse them, couldn’t have chosen a worse time.
He wanted to protect her, but had a feeling it was much too late for that. He wanted to demand that she tell the truth so he could protect her but was afraid she would just run. He needed to bind her to them in some way, make her not want to leave him.
He didn’t see the hallways as he walked, but rather the terror on her face when she heard the witches had arrived. So not only were the vampires after her, the witches were as well.
What the hell could one woman have done to call down the wrath of both races? And how was he supposed to keep her safe when he didn’t know the blasted secret that was on everyone’s lips?
After the meeting, he would demand answers from his little witch. The safety of the pack, his pride, needed to come first. And she was part of his pride even if she didn’t fully understand it yet.
By the time he cleared the last step, his back was on fire. In his rush to get to Trina, he’d pushed too hard. Now his body had locked up tight. Walking alone used muscles that felt so taut they were going to snap if they didn’t get relief soon.
Victor opened the door and entered first. Merrick followed, taking in the scene at a glance. The witches came five strong, though none of them looked sturdy enough to put up a fight.
Looks could be deceiving.
If Trina’s words were true, one of them was trying to bring down the pack. Two of them were women, average in looks, but the taller one had the power of the bunch. Her standing was given away by the position of the others around her, the confident manner in which she gazed around the room and in the way she stood, her back straight, shoulders back.
The others deferred to her.
Their appearance was a bit stark, muted colors, long sleeves, and neatly cut hair either short or tied back. No make-up or fingernail polish. He inhaled, but didn’t smell any perfumes or sprays.
The other three people were men. Well, two were men and one was a boy. An apprentice maybe. The kid had a cagier mien. He cased the place, noted the valuables, but seemed more interested in the exits and how soon he could escape.
Smart kid. If Merrick had a choice, he would escape, too. He smiled, showing more teeth than normal and sat behind the desk. The hat lay on top, undisturbed, and he casually slipped it into the desk. Once it was hidden, he relaxed a fraction. “I appreciate you showing up on such short notice.”
They followed his lead and sat, albeit stiffly as if they thought he’d turn beastly and pounce on them. It had been a good thirty years or more since he’d last requested assistance, and even longer since a Familiaran had walked these halls.
“Let’s get to the point. Someone is using magic on pack land, targeting my people. As I said in the message, I need a track and trace done.” The tension in the room had an odd smell, almost rancid. Trina was right not to trust them. He didn’t draw out the amulet, not until they had an agreement and waited for them to speak.
They came he
re because they wanted something.
The leader primly folded her hands in her lap, but otherwise didn’t move. “We are concerned. Vampires have been reported entering your territory.”
They were watching the Den. It shouldn’t have surprised him, it’s what he would’ve done in their place. “They attended the meeting this month to request assistance.”
“And you just let them?” A nerve ticked along her eye. The movement was slight, but it was there. He half-expected her to whip out a ruler to smack the back of his hand like the school nuns of old. If he was one of her men, he wouldn’t doubt that she would’ve sent out a little lash of magic for good measure.
“Their request was reasonable. They were granted ten days and limited to only one.”
Her lips puckered like a dog just threw up on her shoes. “They are vampires. That’s reason enough to deny them.” She stood as if to intimidate him. “It’s your job as Leo to keep this territory safe. You are the line between the vampires and the humans. If you allow them through, blood will be shed. The wars will return.”
How like the witches to conveniently forget that it was their job as well, that they were supposed to be partners…before they’d abandoned the pack.
But what caught his attention was her voice.
That wasn’t just worry. She knew something. “Why would the presence of one vampire start a war?”
“Did they say what they want?” She ignored his question and stepped closer. A buzzing filled his head like a swarm of flies crawling inside his skull
His lion rushed forward, slashing at the spell as it tried to burrow its way into his brain to find the answer. The urge to give in to her demand instantly vanished.
A snarl rose to his lips as he rose to his full height to tower over them.
“My apologies.” She scurried back to the protection of her people like a little mouse.
Sorry his ass.
She wanted answers and had cast magic to get it. She just didn’t expect to be caught. “Leave. Now.”
She appeared startled by his command. “What do you mean?”
His mouth tightened, and he allowed Beast to rise to the surface and be seen through his eyes. “Get your ass off of my property.”
“What about the track and trace?”
Merrick flashed a hint of fang, pleased to see them recoil. “You’ve proven you can’t be trusted. I have no use of you.”
“But the vampires—”
“Are not after you. If you don’t engage them, you should be fine. They will be gone in a week.”
“What did they want?”
“It’s too bad you didn’t ask instead of demanding answers by force.” Disgust coated his words. He nodded, and Victor opened the door. The two shifters standing guard immediately entered, ready to escort the witches out.
The woman tried to smile, but the expression looked misplaced on her face, more of a grimace of constipation. “We’re both leaders of our people.”
“More’s the pity.”
She ignored his remark as if she’d heard it before. “If my people are in danger, we deserve to know what we’re up against.” Her eyes narrowed. “You should’ve sent a warning.”
Merrick crossed his arms, conceding their point, but only a little. They didn’t care until their precious world was threatened. “You should’ve attended the meeting yourself if you really wanted to know.”
“How about a compromise? You need our help, and we need yours with the vampires.” She looked pissed that she had to deal with animals.
“I’m listening.” The tension in the room escalated. He took perverse pleasure in smelling sweat on them. He wanted them gone and out of the Den. Trina wouldn’t be safe until they’d left.
She gestured and two witches stepped forward, the man and the woman. “They will remain as possible Familiarans to your pack. In return, you’ll extend your protection to us against the vampires.”
Merrick shook his head. The witch didn’t even have the balls to commit her people to the cause. He didn’t need a dick to know he was being screwed. “We don’t—”
“You said the Den was attacked with magic. They would be able to help protect you against further trouble, set wards and find out who cast the spells.”
“And in return, you want us to actively patrol the streets of Oz again?” Merrick used the shifter slang because he knew it would annoy her. Shifters avoided their section of town as per the witches’ request. They must really be worried if they were inviting them back.
“Yes.” Her chin rose, a gleam of satisfaction ringing her eyes. She had him, and she knew it. Their pact all those years ago at the end of the war left them with little choice. If the witches requested protection, the pack had to honor it. And to boot, she would have two of her spies in the Den.
“We’ll agree to extra patrols, but we’ll take the boy instead.”
“What?” Three people spoke at once, but the boy’s squeak was the loudest.
“Unacceptable.” The crone was furious, her eyes spitting fire. Static filled the room as magic rose. Thanks to Trina, his beast was on the constant lookout for it. Whether she knew it or not, Trina exuded the same magic just by breathing.
Hers was different, subtler, almost a caress. It made theirs seem heavy-handed in comparison. He’d bet it would piss this woman off if she found out.
Merrick shrugged. “Then you are denying our request for assistance?”
That was fine by him. If she refused, the shifters weren’t obligated to do the rounds in Oz.
“He’s only an apprentice. He doesn’t even have any training.”
“All the better.” Her outrage made him more determined to stick to his decision. The boy reminded him of Trina: on the run, alone and in over his head.
* * *
“What are you going to do with the kid?” Victor leaned against the door, sniffing the air as if to clean his nose of the witches’ magic.
Merrick grunted and sat. “How the hell should I know?”
As if satisfied that the room was clean, Victor ventured near the desk. “If he has any magic, he doesn’t have a clue how to use it.”
“I know, but I couldn’t risk having the others run loose in the Den.”
Victor nodded agreement. “I’ll have the kid bunk on the second floor. At least you got him away from the witches.”
Merrick put the boy from his mind. What bothered him was the uncontrollable urge to hunt down Trina just to have her within touching distance. Distracted by the thought of her, he ran a hand over his hair, realizing it was over an inch long and in desperate need of a cut. And it irritated the shit out of him that he was primping like some schoolgirl for her. “What’s your opinion of Trina?”
Victor didn’t answer right away, studying him as if to gauge whether he wanted the truth or not. “She’s trouble.”
“Yes.” All sorts of trouble that he wanted to protect, not to mention get his hands on and do all sort of wicked things to.
“But she’s also in a lot of trouble.”
Merrick nodded. “And?”
“If you’d chosen anyone else, I don’t think you would care so much. That she is a doctor, a blood specialist, is almost like fate. If she can help cure CreedMark, she’s worth it.”
That was the crux of the problem.
“Doesn’t her showing up here seem too convenient?”
Victor straightened, his eyes alert. “What do you mean?”
“Do you think she was sent here for a reason?” Part of him dreaded the answer, but the part south of his waist was just glad to have her near.
One thing he knew for sure…Trina was in trouble. Her secrets set her at odds with both the vampire and witch nations. What did her secrets mean for the pack? Even though he was desperate for answers, he held himself back from seeking her out until he got his lust under control.
He couldn’t risk doing something stupid…like fall for her.
“I’ll admit that I’m not sure of her motiv
es, but if she is here for some other purpose, it is her own. She’s too smart for someone to use her and too soft to willingly hurt the pack.”
Victor’s answer should’ve relieved him.
It didn’t.
It left his intense reaction to her unexplained. It couldn’t be natural, but he wasn’t able to detect any spell or uncover any reason for her to target him.
Chapter Seventeen
Trina watched Merrick stalk out of the room, taking all the warmth with him. Weston waited patiently in silence, and it took her precious seconds to find enough brain matter to gather her thoughts.
But where the hell could she go? She wanted to hide in the protection of Merrick’s room, but that meant going to the third floor.
The same floor as the witches.
No way.
Not happening.
If she so much as sneezed wrong, they would be on her.
She needed to keep busy, and what better way than to dig into the case of the comatose shifters. Magic swirled heavily in the air and clung to her. She rubbed her arms and the static electricity was so strong it felt like she was pulling each hair out by the follicle.
“Can you sneak me into the lab?”
Weston didn’t pace, didn’t even twitch as if disturbed by the magic as well. Trina wondered if the others knew of his past, but from the way Weston stood, his careful attention to those around him, she would guess not.
Without questioning her, like he wanted to leave just as much, he nodded and turned on his heel. He shared a quick word with two lean shifters who’d lingered in the hallway, and they disappeared in a blur at a fast run.
Trina wanted to open her senses to check for danger, but couldn’t risk her probe being spotted. There was way too muh magic around them already. Any more would raise suspicions.
Weston took off down a narrow hallway that she hadn’t noticed before. The place was like a rabbit warren, and she had a feeling it was set up that way for the unwary.
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